More parking meters with electronic payment options will be rolled out across Launceston's CBD in coming weeks, making it simpler and more convenient to pay for a park.
In recent years, the City of Launceston's parking meter replacement program has steadily replaced ageing parking machines — some more than 20 years old — with newer models which accept electronic payments.
Since 2019, the machines have been operating in all Council-managed off-street car parks, as well as in on-street metered spaces at Bridge Rd. This year a further 50 of the machines will be rolled out across Launceston, meaning motorists will no longer need to rely on coins to pay for on-street parking meters.
Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten said the new meters were a response to changing consumer trends.
"We're installing more of these machines largely in response to the change in payment preferences we've noticed across the City over the past two years," Mayor van Zetten said.
"Now motorists will have the option to pay with coins or card in more locations across our CBD, or via the EasyPark app if they prefer."
The City of Launceston's Parking Technician Duan Bye said the new meter roll-out would allow for a significant rationalisation of parking infrastructure.
"We're effectively removing 82 meters and replacing them with only 46 new models, so — along with the convenience factor — we're also reducing the amount of infrastructure cluttering the streets," Mr Bye said.
"Anyone who has parked in a City of Launceston off-street car park over the past couple of years will be familiar with these new meters and how they operate, but we'll have clear instructions on each machine for those who may not have used them before.
"The biggest difference with the new meters is that motorists will enter their vehicle registration number rather than a parking bay number, and they'll also be able to pay with a debit card or continue to use coins if they prefer.
"It just adds another option for people and — as we've seen with the popularity of the EasyPark parking app — people are increasingly looking for electronic payment options these days. "In fact, since the launch of EasyPark app in Launceston in 2019, we've seen more than one million parking transactions take place electronically."
The new parking meters are expected to be operational in various parts of Launceston's CBD next month, and older machines will continue to be replaced in coming years as they reach the end of their operational lifespan.
